Anyone here familiar with “brownie” transmissions?

Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by rccarlson22, Oct 6, 2021.

  1. rccarlson22

    rccarlson22 Medium Load Member

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    I’d like to regear the ol turd, I mean Ford, for better climbing but I don’t want to give up my fuel economy. Way back once I saw a guy fitted a brownie transmission to his Ram 3500 and I was wondering if anyone on the board here could point me in the right direction:

    1. where to buy one
    2. Are they universal?
    3. How to install one


    Thanks y’all hope you’re staying busy out there



    edit: I found out the other day the previous owner had an Allison MT643 swapped in. OEM Ford 9inch rear end
     
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  3. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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  4. rccarlson22

    rccarlson22 Medium Load Member

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    I saw those and the Gear Vendor O.D. Units. Gear vendor only rates theirs to 25klbs, which the truck and trailer weigh about 18.5k. Couldn’t find anything on the advance adapter site but I prefer to stick with the Brown-Lipe/Spicer transmission
     
  5. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    Those Transmissions are from older trucks. They are not all the same.

    I think the number you would be looking for is a Spicer 5841, but even at that they had different models I think ABCD that had different ratios. I can't remember I think it's the B or C model that has the correct ratios for low direct and overdrive so that you can split it while you actually are driving. And I think one has a better Overdrive.

    Also maybe someone else could answer this better, but I'm not certain all the parts are available even to rebuild them nowadays.

    Couldn't tell you where to buy them you have to Google and do some research. Scrap yards that have older stuff might have them.

    I don't know what they have but I think Fuller has some auxiliary Transmissions but I'm not sure what their applications are and their prices are probably pretty expensive.
     
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  6. rccarlson22

    rccarlson22 Medium Load Member

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    Thank you for the info, I’ve found a few for sale online. I’d prefer to buy it in person tho.

    I’m definitely going to have to do some custom driveshaft work to get it on, but it’s very doable. I’ll post an update once I’m getting around to installing
     
  7. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    I just wanted to remind you do the research on the ratios because they all have different ratios and some are better for splitting and some are better for off-roading and that type of thing.

    I think some may not even be Overdrive.
     
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  8. wore out

    wore out Numbered Classic

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    What your going to run into is rotating mass. What you think your going to gain you will loose in turning the 2nd box.
     
  9. rccarlson22

    rccarlson22 Medium Load Member

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    you think the entirety of the gear reduction (overdrive) will be lost to rotating mass? That hadn’t occurred to me.

    the one I had found is a 3 speed. 20% underdrive, direct drive, and 20% overdrive
     
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  10. BigBob410

    BigBob410 Road Train Member

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    A 9inch?? In a F350?? You sure you don’t have a Dana?
     
  11. rccarlson22

    rccarlson22 Medium Load Member

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    2000 F650, Cat 3126.

    I may be wrong, here’s a pic of the plate. All I can tell for sure is 4.33 gears
     
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